Individually stable connected tables



June 9, 1959 M. B. STEVENS I 2,890,037

INDIVIDUALLY STABLE CONNECTED TABLES Filed June 2, 1958 INVENTOR [Myron Esta/ens ATTORNEY 2,890,087 INDIVIDUALLY STABLE CONNECTED TABLES Myron B. Stevens, Bethesda, Md.

Application June 2, 1958, Serial No. 739,443

11 Claims. (Cl. 311-4) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to the so called connected tables which are adapted to be connected together to form a larger table such as a banquet table. Such tables are generally rectangular with a leg at each corner. When two or more of such tables are arranged together in aligned end-to-end relation, the legs at one end of each table are juxtaposed to the legs at the adjoining end of the next table whereby to occupy at least double the leg room space of a single table leg.

Another objection to the usual connected tables is that they are usually simply placed together without actually being connected, whereby they are frequently accidentally separated slightly either longitudinally or laterally or both.

The invention comprises an improvement over the invention disclosed in the copending application of Lawrence M. Furey, Serial No. 737,458, filed May 23, 1958, now US. Patent No. 2,857,223.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the in vention to provide an improved connected table of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved connected table which is individually stable, which disposes the legs at adjoining pairs of table ends in lateral or at least substantially lateral alignment.

A further object to provide in a table such as that last described, means integral with the adjoined tables to prevent lateral misalignment of the same.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the tables, the structure of the several elements of the same, combinations and subcombinations of such elements with each other and/or with like elements of like tables, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing showning two species of the invention and to the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a bottom plan view showing a preferred species of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the same;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing a second species of the invention; and

Figure 5 is an elevational view of Figure 4 Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like ref- 'United States PatentO s lc erence characters designate like parts in all views, and referring at first to the species of Figures 1-3 inclusive, 10, 10, 10 designates generally three tables which are similar in that each has a table top 11 having a first end 12 and a second end 13. Each first end 12 is supported by a pair of laterally spaced and aligned supporting means 14 while each second end 13 is supported by a pair of laterally spaced and aligned supporting means 15. As is readily apparent, each pair of supporting means is laterally inwardly offset relative to the spaced supporting means 14. Also, the legs or other supporting means 14 and 15 each have major lower portions 16 and 17 respectively which project beyond their respective table ends 12 and 13 like distances. In the embodiments illustrated, such lower portions 16 and 17 are substantially vertical and are projected distances corresponding to one half the thickness of the legs, Thus, when a first end 12 of one table 10 is aligned and adjoined with a second end 13 of a second table 10 the legs 14 and 15 at the pair of adjoining ends are in lateral alignment and occupy no more leg room space than a single pair of legs. Another feature of the invention is that the supporting means 15 at the second ends are ofiset inwardly of the supporting means 14 at the first ends just sufiiciently to have a close sliding fit therebetween. By this arrangement, lateral misalignment of the tables in use is prevented. At the same time, each table is provided with four legs or the equivalent so that it is individually stable.

To secure the adjoined tables against separation in longitudinal directions, at least one of the inner supporting means 15 is formed with a hole 19 therethrough and the corresponding outer supporting means 14 is formed with a socket or hole 18 therein. A pin 20 is inserted through the aligned holes 18 and 19 to provide a simple lock. Obviously other forms of connections are contemplated.

In the first described species of the invention, the minor upper portions of the legs 14 and 15 are curved to provide the longitudinal outward projection of the major lower portions 16 and 17. However, in the species of Figures 4 and 5, a difierent arrangement is provided. In this species of the invention, each table has a table top 31, each having a first end 32 and a second end 33. Ends 32, 33 of adjacent tables 30 are intended to be adjoined as shown. The ends 32 are each supported by a pair of laterally spaced and straight supporting means or legs 34, while each second end 33 is supported by a pair of laterally spaced and straight supporting means or legs 35 which are laterally inwardly ofiset relative to the legs 34.

Here, the legs 34, 35 instead of having curved upper portions to achieve the longitudinally outward projection are merely slightly inclined longitudinally outwardly so that the lower ends 36 and 37 respectively are projected beyond the ends of the table tops 31 distances equal substantially to one half the thickness of the legs so that such ends are in lateral alignment and the major portions of the legs are at least partially overlapped so that it might be said that they are in substantially lateral alignment, particularly in the extreme lower portions where the feet of a diner would be located. Thus, in this critical area, the legs 34, 35 occupy substantially no more leg room space than the legs of a single table. As in the first form of the invention, the inner legs, 35 are offset laterally inwardly just enough to have a close sliding fit between the outer legs 34 whereby to prevent lateral displacement of the adjoined ends 32, 33- of thetables. A simple hook 38 and detent 39 may be provided on the under-surfaces of the table tops 31 adjacent the first and second ends 32 and 33 to prevent longitudinal separation of the adjoined tables.

It follows from the foregoing, that the invention provides not only for a maximum of leg room at each pair of adjoined table ends but also provides for integral means for preventing lateral displacement of such ends. Moreover, while there has been shown and described two species of the invention, it is understood that the invention is suspectible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, the invention is not considered as being restricted to the precise structures shown and described hereinabove but only as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In at least two connected tables including means readily detachably connecting a first end of a first table to a second end of a second table with said tables in longitudinal alignment; the improvement comprising laterally spaced table supporting means at said first end of said first table, said supporting means having spaced and opposed inner surfaces, supporting means for said second end of said second table in lateral alignment with said laterally spaced supporting means, and said second named supporting means having oppositely directed outer surfaces in opposed and substantially abutting relation with said inner surfaces of said laterally spaced supporting means whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said ends of said tables.

2. In at least two connected tables including means readily detachably connecting a first end of a first table to a second end of a second table with said tables in longitudinal alignment; the improvement comprising two laterally spaced table legs at each of said ends, all of said legs including major portions in substantial lateral alignment, and at least parts of said major portions of said legs at said first end of said first table being in later- .ally outwardly abutting relation to at least part of said major portions of said legs at said second end of said second table whereby to provide means preventing relative lateral movement of said ends.

3. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of the other table; the improvement comprising a pair of laterally spaced table legs at each of said ends, all of said legs including major lower portions in substantial lateral alignment, and at least parts of said major lower portions of said pair of legs at said first end of one table being in laterally outwardly abutting relation with at least parts of said major lower portions of said pair of legs at said second end of the other table whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said adjoining ends.

4. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of the other table; the improvement comprising a pair of laterally spaced table legs at each of said ends, each pair of said legs including major lower portions ofiset longitudinally outwardly of its table end, all of said lower portions being disposed in lateral alignment, and said major lower portions of one pair of legs being in laterally outwardly oifset and abutting relation with said major lower portions of said other pair of legs whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said adjoining ends.

5. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of the other table; the'improvement comprising laterally spaced table supporting means at said first end, said supporting means having spaced and opposed inner surfaces, supporting means supporting said second end and being laterally inwardly ofiset relative to said laterally spaced supporting means, said supporting means for each end having major lower portions offset longitudinally out- ;wardlyof itstable end, all ofsaid lower portions of said i 4 supporting means being in substantial lateral alignment, and at least parts of said major lower portions of said supporting means for said second end having outer surfaces in substantially abutting relation to at least parts of said major lower portions of said inner surfaces of said laterally spaced supporting means to prevent relative lateral movement of said table ends.

6. In a plurality of tablesvrdisposed in end-to-end relation with adjoining ends to form a larger table, each table having first and second opposite ends, each table having a pair of table legs at each of said ends; the improvement comprising each leg having a major lower portion, said lower portions of said pair of legs at said first end of each table being offset laterally inwardly'of said lower portions of said pair of legs at said second end, and said lower portions of each pair of legs projecting longitudinally beyond their table end a distance comprising substantially one half the thickness of each leg whereby to bring into lateral alignment all of said lower portions of said legs at each pair of adjoining ends of said tables.

7. In a plurality of tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with each table having a first end adjoining a second end of another table; the improvement comprising each table having an outer pair of legs at said first end and having at said second end an inner pair of legs offset laterally inwardly of said outer pair of legs, each leg having a similar and major lower portion, said lower portion of each leg projecting longitudinally beyond its table a distance comprising substantially one half of the thickness of the leg, whereby to bring into lateral alignment said lower portions of said legs at each pair of adjoining ends, and said lower portions of said outer and inner pairs of legs at each pair of adjoining ends having respectively inner and outer surface portions in substantially abutting relation to prevent lateral movement of said tables relative to each other.

8. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of the other table; the improvement comprising a pair of laterally spaced table legs at each of said ends, said legs being straight and being downwardly and outwardly inclined longitudinally of said ends, all of said legs having lower portions in at least substantial lateral alignment, and said lower portions of said pair of legs at said first end of one table being in laterally outwardly abutting relation with said lower portions of said pair of legs at said second end of the other table whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said adjoining ends.

9. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of the other table; the improvement comprising a pair of laterally spaced table legs at each of said adjoining ends, each leg having a straight and substantially vertical major lower portion, means projecting said lower portions longitudinally beyond said adjoining ends, said lower portions of all of said legs being in lateral alignment, and said lower portions of said pair of legs at said first end of one table being in laterally outwardly abutting relation with said lower portions of said pair of legs at said second end of the other table whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said adjoining ends.

10. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end of one table adjoining a second end of another table; the improvement comprising a pair of laterally spaced table legs at each of said ends, all of said legs including portions in substantial lateral alignment, and said portions of said legs of said first end of one table being in laterally outwardly substantially abutting relation with said portions of said pair of legs at said second end of the other table whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said adjoining ends.

11. In at least two tables disposed in longitudinal alignment with a first end ofone table adjoining a second end of the other table; the improvement comprising laterally spaced table supporting means at said first end of each table, said supporting means having spaced and opposed inner surfaces, supporting means supporting said second ends of said tables and having laterally outwardly facing outer surfaces in slightly inwardly oifset relation to said inner surfaces of said laterally spaced supporting means, all on? said supporting means having portions in lateral alignment, and said inner surfaces of said aligned portions of said spaced supporting means being juxtaposed with said outer surfaces of said aligned portions of said supporting means for said second end of the other table whereby to prevent relative lateral movement of said tables.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,996 Matthes July 19, 1910 1,225,234 Fox May 8, 1917 1,886,446 Reinhard Nov. 8, 1932 2,605,150 Cohen July 29, 1952 2,659,640 Lindman Nov. 17, 1953 2,783,107 Gacht Feb. 26, 1957 

